On Wednesday, Israel issued its first official statement regarding the Russia-Ukraine crisis, keeping in mind the delicate stance on the matter.
“Israel shares the concern of the international community regarding the steps taken in eastern Ukraine and the serious escalation in the situation,” a Foreign Ministry statement said. “Israel supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.” The statement also expressed concern about the welfare of the Israelis and Jews living in Ukraine. “Israel is concerned about the welfare of thousands of Israeli citizens living in Ukraine and the welfare of the large Jewish community in the country.”
Source: (Times of Israel (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)
Hours earlier, Ukrainian diplomats said they were still waiting for Israel to weigh in after the US and European nations strongly condemned Russia for moving troops into Luhansk and Donetsk. “We are waiting for any kind of official reaction from the Israeli side, because there is no reaction, nothing,” a spokeswoman at Ukraine’s embassy in Tel Aviv told The Times of Israel Wednesday morning. “We just really hope that they will do something that sounds the same as our Western allies.”
The Israeli statement added, “Israel hopes for a diplomatic solution that will lead to calm and is willing to help if asked. Israel is ready and willing to immediately transfer humanitarian assistance to Ukraine according to its needs and is in contact with the Ukrainian authorities.”
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